Leeds United 1 Arsenal 3

They say the lazy man does more work and with Arsenal trying unsuccessfully to coast their way through at home to Leeds, it was left to an undesired replay at Elland Road. Still, when the clock struck 87 minutes at the Grove for the original tie, we would all have taken this situation gladly. So it is that a crammed January had to wedge another midweek away cup tie into its schedule. This was something of a small personal milestone for me, attendance of the fixture meant that 9 years have now passed since Arsenal played a domestic match without my inspirational attendance. Fittingly enough, it was a game at Elland Road in January 2002 that I peered out through the idiot box. Our first journey to Elland Road for seven years and the streets were lined with rowdy Leeds fans well over an hour before kickoff. I was fortunate enough to meet with our esteemed editor, making a shorter journey than I, for a beer in the concourse before proceedings began. Still, that awful new Chamakh song persists. "He`s from a place not far from Iraq." Firstly, he was born in France. Secondly, Morocco is 3,000 miles away from Iraq! London is closer than that. "He plays upfront and he plays in attack." He plays upfront and in attack?! Now that`s versatility!

In feverish cup ties such as this, an early goal is always desirable and Arsenal were able to prescribe that remedy inside five minutes. Koscielny intercepted Howson`s pass high up the pitch, Gibbs fed the ball into Chamakh, who in turn laid it off to Arshavin. The Russian tried to guide the ball back into Chamakh`s path, but unwittingly found a ball into the onrushing Nasri. Nasri took a touch past O`Brien and Bruce before sliding the ball coolly into the bottom corner. Not only has the frequency and timing of Nasri`s runs improved, but his finishing is never anything less than meticulous. The goal instantly quelled a noisy home crowd and smothered the opposition`s morale, allowing the Arsenal tentacle to tightly grip the larynx of the game. After one of Sagna`s umpteen raids down the right, he forced a cynical foul from Howson. Nasri`s subsequent free kick found Chamakh unmarked and his powerful downward header was beaten out by Kasper Schmeichel. The Gunners were totally on top, when some one touch play between Bendtner, Chamakh and Nasri saw Arshavin blast a shot over the bar from outside the area. Arshavin was guilty of missing a rather simpler chance a few minutes later when Chamakh`s centre found Arshavin unmarked inside the area, but he missed the ball completely with the goal winking seductively.

Nothing at all is coming off for the Russian at the moment, but if he continues to show the same application as he did last night, he`ll not find the magic stays away for too long. Indeed, the desire to correct his form was apparent minutes later when he pirouetted beautifully past Johnson only to see his low shot well saved by Schmeichel from distance. Arsenal were guilty of not slaying their opposition and were left to rue another missed chance. A raking cross field ball from the fast improving Koscielny found Sagna in an acre of space on the right and his cross was flashed across goal a fraction too hard for the sliding Nicklas Bendtner at the back post. Bendtner too has come in for criticism of late, but applied himself and had a solid game indeed. A better liked player would have found greater commendation for that this morning. Denilson and Song formed a calm, physically imposing axis in midfield. Song is looking more like a complete midfield player to me by the game. But Arsenal did move into a two goal lead eventually via an unlikely, but very deserving source. Sagna foraged down the flank with impunity and found his reward when Nasri tried to play Bendtner in, the Dane`s touch was heavy, allowing O`Brien to clear as far as Sagna. Leeds failed to close Banger down and he sized up the opportunity, hitting a rising shot from the angle which flew into the top corner via Schmeichel`s singed glove. Last season, Eboue`s attacking prowess saw him selected ahead of Sagna for certain games. Sagna`s response has been to improve his forward play and work hard. Eboue`s has been to become sloppy, complacent and move backwards as a player.

Leeds` support continued to find its voice with a an unoriginal rendition of "You`re just a small town in Tottenham." Incorrect. Tottenham is in East London now. However, the home support was given reason to add vigour to its vocal chords shortly before half time. Snodgrass tried to work an angle on the Leeds right, only for Arshavin to rob him of the ball. Snodgrass clearly hauled Arshavin back to regain possession, only for the linesman to ludicrously wave the appeals away. You often get this sort of "pity" refereeing when a large club faces a side from a lower league. The officials tend to let the "plucky underdogs" get away with more in the 50-50 decisions owing to a subconscious desire to even the contest up. Gradel`s cross was cleared by Koscielny as far as Howson; he shifted the ball left to Johnson who hit across the ball expertly, sending it spiralling into the top corner with Szczesny helpless. Szczesny turned to the away support with a flummoxed expression, as if to say, "Nowt I could do about that." So half time found the scoreline a much less comfortable affair than it ought to have been. My attempts at a half time urination were foiled; the away end at Leeds serves 3,000 and has only two toilets. You can imagine the sort of scrum that causes. Health and safety is a convenient mirage for football clubs. They hide behind it when they choose, yet very few grounds have any sort of health and safety provision really.

The second half was a slightly twitchier affair, but more Carlo Ancelotti`s eyebrow than Harry Redknapp`s face. Leeds tried to apply the pressure, but found themselves schooled by the twin forces of Arsenal`s midfield and defence. In fact, the away side should have killed the game off inside the first sixty seconds of the half. Bendtner brought the ball in from the wide right and found Nasri. He touched the ball into the path of Alex Song, who was foiled by the fists of Schmeichel from close range. Arshavin`s low confidence was again manifest when his finish in the area from a sweeping move saw the ball sail into the adjacent car park behind Elland Road. Though Arsenal were fairly comfortable, the manager still called for Sergeant Fabregas and Lieutenant van Persie from the bench to close the game out. That combination were at the epicentre of the deciding goal, when Fabregas swept the ball wide to Bendtner. The Dane looked up and picked out a peach of a cross, which van Persie followed right onto his bonce, before powering a header past Schmeichel. Leeds had nothing left in the tank and it was left with the visiting supporters to taunt Kasper Schmeichel with a chorus of "Your Dad is a w****r" to the tune of Seven Nation Army. A very satisfying and professional victory. We did it all by the book, early goal, possession football, killed the game off and didn`t panic when Leeds grabbed a goal back. No blame can be attributed for the goal concession, there was a clear foul on Arshavin in the build up and the shot was unstoppable. Ultimately, in these games where there is a gulf in class, you need to match the other side`s hunger and motivation, we did that. Now we need to do it again and again, starting all over again on Saturday.LD.

Your Comments (oldest first)

Loved your remarks on Sagna and Eboue. This season for me Sagna is the best RB in the PL - incredibly underrated, by gooners as well as the non-Arsenal punditry/blogosphere. Fantastic attitude from the players and great team selection from Arsene. Arshavin keeps trying, I won't slate him. And while we were all saying Nik is no winger he delivers a sublime ball from the wing to RVP. Plus, Betis broke Barca's unbeaten streak on the same night (against a full strength Barca team). LOL!

Many good performances last night: Sagna, Koscielny, Djourou, Song and Nasri the pick of the bunch but the much maligned duo of Denilson and Arshavin were much better than in recent weeks. As I said in the forum, potentially 8 of our next 9 games are at home. We have to make The Emirates a real fortress now (excuse the cliche) and go on a good run, because we're in a commendable position on all fronts. Up the Arse!

Our next 8 matches: 7 at home. We now need to build a fortress, and all those t0ssers who are giving NikB and AA23 **** need to lay off them for a bit. If we can keep this form for the next month it could be a very interesting end to the season.

I saw clips on TV that were really pleasing. First, Sagna's expression of determination and remonstration with Bendtner I think after he had put in a tackle following sloppy play. Second, again with Bendtner being the culprit, Clichy called out to him with words to the effect of "come on, focus, no let-up". You sense there's that kind of determination from the team now. If only Eboue could get on the same plane. I've berated Arshavin in my head over the last few games, but last night his courage to keep going and wanting the ball despite his obvious lack of confidence was admirable. If he keeps it going, surely his form will return.

NB52 is definitely getting lighter on his feet since he’s been getting match time and I think we’re going to need him at his best. I felt a little sorry for Arshavin, tremendous work rate last night but he is completely devoid of any confidence at the moment. However, if he continues to look as lively in our up and coming games then I am certain it will all come right for him again.

Good job you had Dean Reffing every time we tackled one of yours he gave a foul even when the tackle was clean, talk about giving the Favourites a helping hand he should have been wearing a yellow shirt

Come off it TT, he made a couple of mistakes, but flagging Gibbsy offside when he was clean through on goal when he wasn't was worse than anything he gave to us. That and the fact that those freekicks had little to no baring on the outcome of the game.

Let's not forget the most blatant foul you're likely to see this season when Arshavin was pulled to the ground before their goal. Martin Tyler's bemused reaction on the commentary tells you all you need to know.

This was a good game for me, i was born in Leeds and my Dad and Brother are Leeds fans and they are probably my second favourite team being a 'Leeds Lad' ...2 games for them would have being good for them financially.
But, onto the next round for us and another fk* game! Everyone's playing well. Appologies to all who this may annoy, but i just don't see Bedtner as good enough. He gives the ball away needlessly, one good cross in a game? Every player in the PL is cabable of them, *****, i'm capable of that!
Tony Rocky Horror, you're a cock.

I thought Bendtner produced a good deal more than 1 good cross, he was more positive with the ball than he's been in recent games. I don't really recall him wasting the ball anymore than anyone else on Weds i.e. not often. He created a few chances too (granted one was because of poor touch).

Agreed LD - He never hid either, always looking for the ball, a very good performance. I think Cesc's reaction to Bendtner's cross was a good indication of the team spirit and that they're all pulling for each other to do well!

Sorry, but I thought Bendtner was poor. His first touch is consistently heavy and he is appallingly slow. I've re-watched the match 3 times since and haven't revised my opinion. Granted he was trying and credit to him for that, but I'm not convinced he's ultimately good enough to be a top line striker at the club.

Looking forward to the Huddersfield game. There's obviously the history between the clubs and another Arsenal youngster on loan in Benik Afobe. Also good to be able to help them pull in a decent pay day especially as they look set to lose half a million quid by dropping out of the Northern Area Final.

He'll be back at Huddersfield for the weekend.
http://www.examiner.co.uk/huddersfield-town-fc/huddersfield-town-news/2011/01/21/huddersfield-town-s-arsenal-loanee-back-in-squad-for-colchester-clash-86081-28030194/

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